Engineers in Australia who wish to showcase their expertise, abilities, and skills to the engineering industry and potential employers can join the National Engineer Register (NER). Engineers Australia has established a platform for professionals to demonstrate their skills, abilities and improve and advance their careers.
So, let’s say you’re excited to be a member of the NER, this article will offer you comprehensive information about the National Engineering Register’s qualifying requirements, perks, areas of practice, and other relevant details.
Engineers registered on the National Engineering Register have demonstrated their engineering expertise. It’s a source of pride and international recognition. Engineers in Australia may use the NER to show potential employers their skills and job experience. The registration shows that the Engineer is a reliable professional to improve their social standing.
Because government registrations lack the NER’s complete areas of practice, registering on the NER is preferable on official registers. Employers may use it as a tool to assist them in making good recruiting decisions. Engineers may use it to market themselves and search for career and business opportunities.
Table of Contents
Five Steps for Registering in the NER
To be included in the NER register, engineers who are members of Engineers Australia and have worked in the engineering field for at least five years in the past seven years must meet the following requirements:
Providing Work Experience Statement
The work experience evaluation is done to confirm that the applicant’s technical abilities align with the areas of practice they have specified. Engineers Australia has a self-assessment checklist that details the jobs, responsibilities, and skills candidates have acquired over their careers.
Uploading the CPD
You must demonstrate three years of continuous professional development while applying for NER Australia. Applicants must demonstrate that they have completed one hundred and fifty hours of CPD in the previous twelve months before applying for a National engineering register; however, 50 hours is the minimum requirement. Registrants are also required to undergo a CPD evaluation every five years.
Nomination of Professional Referees
Applicants must select professional referees who can verify their work experience information and proof as stated in their work experience statement. One of the professional referees might be the applicant’s present employer.
If the candidate has worked for the company for five years, the second referee might also be the current employer. If not, someone from their previous firm will have to fill the position. It’s hard to choose a friend to act as a referee.
Self-Assessment of PI Insurance
When registering for the NER, applicants must fulfill the PI insurance benefit standards and demonstrate that they can retain them. The applicants must check with their employers to see if PI insurance is available.
Personal Interview
Engineers Australia contacts professional references via phone for a conversation. Engineers Australia conducts video conferences, Skype, and face-to-face interviews with applicants.
Non-members of Engineers Australia who want to join the National Engineering Register must first complete the stage 1 competency exam. It compares Australia’s qualifications, transcripts, CV, and work experience to Australian norms.
The application’s first evaluation takes roughly 3 to 4 weeks. However, depending on the material you must supply, the overall time to complete the application might vary from applicant to applicant.
The Eligibility Criteria for NER Engineers Australia
Engineers Australia has specified qualifying standards that they must meet to be registered with the NER. The following is a list of prerequisites:
- Applicants must possess relevant qualifications.
- Applicants should have prior professional experience that is relevant to the position.
- Applicants should pledge to act ethically.
- Applicants must keep up with their Continuing Professional Development.
- Applicants must have the benefit of PI insurance.
Engineers Who are Chartered Members of EA
- Should have PI insurance and be able to keep it up to date.
- EA’s members
- They should have worked in their fields for at least five years in the previous seven years.
- Should have sufficient work experience
- Submit a statement of CPD
Engineers Who are Non-Members of EA
- They should have worked in their fields for at least five years in the previous seven years.
- They must first undergo a qualifying assessment.
- They must have sufficient job experience.
- Submit a statement of CPD (Continued Professional Development)
- The cost of PI insurance and the capacity to keep it up to date
Engineers who are not members of Engineers Australia(EA) must complete an additional procedure and the five outlined above. As a result, the Engineer must first complete the skills assessment (Stage 1 Competencies) before going to the following five levels.
Applicants whose universities are not recognized to Engineers Australia’s Accords must submit a CDR report. Along with three career episodes and a summary statement, CPD is an important aspect of a CDR report. You can find more information in the National Engineering Register application guidelines.
Engineers who are already members of EA can finish their registration by entering their EA ID into the site. Engineers who aren’t members of Engineers Australia must pay fees and undergo a separate registration process.
Why Should you Seek Registration in the NER as a Practising Engineer in Australia?
Because government registries lack the NER’s wide Areas of Practice, being registered on the NER is preferable to be registered on them. Employers can utilize this information to make more informed recruiting decisions. Engineers may use it to market themselves and search for career and business opportunities.
An engineer’s participation in the National Engineering Register displays their expertise in engineering. It is a source of pride for the country and international admiration. Engineers in Australia can go to the National Engineering Register to demonstrate their abilities and work experience to potential employers.
The Engineer’s inclusion in the registry demonstrates that they are a trustworthy professional, and as a result, their social status may improve.
Some of the plus points of becoming a member of the NER are as follows:
- NER unlocks opportunities by exposing your certified profile to potential employers and recruiters, clients, marketers, and other professionals.
- With the professional recognition that comes with NER, you will gain the authority to practice independently in your field of practice.
- Being in the NER is an important step towards becoming a chartered engineer.
- With NER, you can easily secure state registration as a professional engineer.
Areas of Practice Covered by the National Engineering Register
NER has a limit to the areas of practice it covers. If you want to proceed with NER registration, confirm that your qualification falls under the following practice areas.
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Subsea Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Telecommunications Engineering
NER Australia covers other areas of engineering practice; however, these areas are only applicable to chartered engineers who have completed Stage 2 Competency Claim with Engineers Australia. These include:
- Building services engineering
- Design and verification of pressure equipment
- Oil and gas pipeline and petroleum engineering
- Naval architecture
- Subdivisional geotechnics
- Leadership and management
- Fire safety engineering
- Heritage & conservation
How Much Time does it Require to get Registered on the NER?
The application assessment process usually takes 3 to 4 weeks. It may extend the period if the assessors request more papers. Engineers Australia assigns persons to its review panel that is highly skilled and experienced. They also undergo comprehensive training to make an impartial and objective decision.
